International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 2012
ReviewThe National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for caesarean section, 2011 update: implications for the anaesthetist.
In 2004 the first National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on caesarean section were published with the aim of providing evidence-based recommendations for best practice. With the publication of new evidence, the guidelines have been revised with the second edition released in 2011. This review highlights the changes that have been made which are of specific relevance to obstetric anaesthetists including planned caesarean section compared with vaginal birth in healthy women with an uncomplicated pregnancy; management of the morbidly adherent placenta; mother-to-child transmission of maternal infections; maternal request for caesarean section; decision-to-delivery interval for emergency caesarean section; timing of antibiotic administration and childbirth after caesarean section.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialLow-dose intravenous ketamine improves postoperative analgesia after caesarean delivery with spinal bupivacaine in African parturients.
In the absence of neuraxial opiates, postoperative analgesia after caesarean delivery is limited by the duration of action of bupivacaine. This could be prolonged by the co-administration of adjuvants such as ketamine. ⋯ The use of intravenous low-dose ketamine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery was associated with longer postoperative analgesia and lower early postoperative analgesia consumption than bupivacaine alone.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 2012
Review Case ReportsSevere glottic stenosis in a parturient with ectodermal dysplasia.
Airway stenosis in pregnancy is challenging and the literature does not offer consensus regarding its evaluation and anesthetic management. A 21-year-old nulliparous woman with ectodermal dysplasia and severe glottic stenosis was referred to the obstetric anesthesia team for evaluation and peripartum management recommendations. She had a history of a congenital complete glottic web that required a tracheostomy at birth. ⋯ At nine weeks of gestation an elective tracheostomy was performed under local anesthesia. She later underwent an uneventful cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Ultimately, early interdisciplinary planning for an elective tracheostomy helped assure patient safety during advancing pregnancy and delivery.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 2012
Case ReportsSubcapsular liver hematoma causing cardiac tamponade in HELLP syndrome.
HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets) syndrome is an obstetric complication with heterogeneous presentation, multisystem involvement and variable prognosis, but which usually resolves after delivery. We report a case of HELLP syndrome with subcapsular hematoma of the liver causing extrapericardial cardiac tamponade. The subcapsular hematoma and cardiac tamponade were managed conservatively.